U.S. patent application number 10/257707 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-04 for method and device for mneasuring vital parameters.
Invention is credited to Jansen, Klaus.
Application Number | 20030166995 10/257707 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29715713 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030166995 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jansen, Klaus |
September 4, 2003 |
Method and device for mneasuring vital parameters
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for measuring the vital
parameters of a person, said vital parameters being measured and
recorded by a non-invasive method. The vital parameters measured
and/or data retrieved from a data processing of vital parameters
are regularly recorded during the rest phases of the person on a
long-term basis, that is over a period of days, weeks, months
and/or years. The invention further relates to a corresponding
device for measuring the vital parameters.
Inventors: |
Jansen, Klaus; (Buxtehude,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TECHNOPROP COLTON, L.L.C.
P O BOX 567685
ATLANTA
GA
311567685
|
Family ID: |
29715713 |
Appl. No.: |
10/257707 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
April 12, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP01/04237 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/0022 20130101;
A61B 5/6887 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/300 |
International
Class: |
A61B 005/00 |
Claims
1. Method for measuring the vital parameters of a person, said
vital parameters being measured (18) and recorded in a non-invasive
manner, characterized in that the measured vital parameters and/or
data acquired from a data processing of vital parameters are
regularly recorded during periods of rest, especially during
sleeping phases, of the person on a long-term basis.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that respiration
frequency, heartbeat, body temperature and/or electric body signals
are measured as vital parameters.
3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the data
processing includes a spectral transformation selected from the
group consisting of Fourier transformation (20), Hilbert
transformation (21), Laplace transformation, or a transformation
based on complete functions.
4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the data
processing includes a classification (22) of the data obtained from
the transformation.
5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the data
processing includes a calculation of the standard deviation, or
variance, of a vital parameter.
6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that an alarm
signal is generated when a pre-determined limit value or a limit
value obtained from the data processing is met or exceeded.
7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the measured
vital parameters and/or obtained data are transmitted to a central
databank (16), with the databank (16) archiving the data of a
plurality of persons.
8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the central
databank (16) processes the archived data of one or more persons
with or among each other.
9. Device for measuring the vital parameters of a person with at
least one sensor (12) for the non-invasive measurement of the vital
parameters and a memory storage for storing the measured vital
parameters and/or the data obtained from a data processing of the
vital parameters, characterized in that the memory storage is
configured such that the measured vital parameters and/or the
obtained data can be recorded over an extended period of time and
can be retrieved at need.
10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the sensor
or sensors (12) are arranged on and/or in a mattress (10).
11. Device according to claim 10, characterized by a data
processing unit (14) for processing the measured vital
parameters.
12. Device according to claim 11, characterized by a data
transmission device (15) for the transmission of measured vital
parameters or of data obtained from the data processing to a
central databank (16) and/or for the reception of data.
13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the sensor
(12) has a sensor selected from the group consisting of temperature
sensors, pressure sensors, and acoustic sensors.
14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the data
processing unit can be placed in the region of the mattress (10)
and has an alarm clock.
15. Device according to claim 9 for measuring the vital parameters
of a person with at least one sensor (12) for the non-invasive
measurement of the vital parameters and a memory storage for
storing the measured vital parameters and/or the data obtained from
a data processing of the vital parameters, characterized in that
the memory storage is configured such that the measured vital
parameters and/or the obtained data can be recorded over an
extended period of time and can be retrieved at need, wherein the
measured vital parameters and/or data acquired from a data
processing of vital parameters are regularly recorded during
periods of rest, especially during sleeping phases, of the person
on a long-term basis.
16. Method according to claim 5, wherein the vital parameter is a
heartbeat.
17. Method according to claim 6, wherein the alarm signal is
generated when the standard deviation or variance of the heartbeat
exceeds a limiting value.
18. Device according to claim 12, wherein the data is selected from
the group consisting of an alarm signal and software updates
provided by a central databank.
19. Device according to claim 13, wherein the sensor is a
microphone.
20. Device according to claim 14, wherein the device can be placed
on a bedside table associated with the mattress.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The invention relates to a method for measuring the vital
parameters of a person, said vital parameters being measured and
recorded by a non-invasive method. The invention further relates to
a device for measuring the vital parameters of a person with at
least one sensor for the non-invasive measurement of the vital
parameters and with electronic memory for storing the measured
vital parameters and/or the data acquired from data processing of
the vital parameters.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] The non-invasive measurement of vital parameters is already
known, such as measuring heartbeat and respiration frequency, body
temperature or electric body signals, for example, brain waves, by
using the corresponding measuring devices such as a pulse measuring
device or a thermometer. Also known are such devices capable of
recording vital parameter measurement. One example is the so-called
long-term ECG measuring device which is employed to measure
electric cardiac signals over a period of many hours.
[0005] The known measuring methods present the disadvantage that
their random sample character permits only a limited degree of
significance.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of
improving the acquisition of vital parameters.
[0007] This objective is solved by a method of the type stated
above in that the measured vital parameters and/or data acquired
from a data processing of vital parameters are regularly recorded
during periods of rest, especially during sleeping phases, of the
test person on a long-term basis, i.e. over a period of days,
weeks, months and/or years. The objective is further solved by a
device of the type stated above in that said device has a data
storage configured such that the measured vital parameters and/or
the acquired data can also be recorded and retrieved on a
long-terms basis in the time periods outlined above.
[0008] The invention thus achieves a (long-term) biographic
monitoring of vital parameters which can be advantageously employed
in health care.
[0009] During periods of repose the body is generally in a stable
state or constitution. In particular, no stress factors act upon
the body. By measuring vital parameters during the repose period,
one is able to avoid disturbing factors to a large degree. The
parameters as measured by the invention are therefore very
representative for the body's constitution.
[0010] Furthermore, the invention's measurement of vital parameters
during phases of stabile body constitution is conducted over an
extended period of time, namely over the course of days, weeks,
months or years. This yields a large quantity of data on the vital
parameters and such a large quantity provides an excellent base for
statistical evaluation.
[0011] The measured vital parameters are preferably evaluated with
respect to statistical variables, such as standard deviation, or
variance. This evaluation is based on the knowledge that the
circulation of a healthy person is characterized by relative high
variances or standard deviations in cardiac frequency. On the other
hand, a drop in variance or standard deviation indicates illness.
For example, shortly before a myocardial infarction the variance
approaches zero, i.e. the time interval between individual heart
beats is essentially constant. The change in such statistic
variables, such as variance or standard deviation, can enhance the
knowledge concerning changes in the constitution of the person
involved.
[0012] Of further preference the measured parameters or
preprocessed vital parameters are subjected to a spectral
transformation, i.e. transformed from the temporal range to the
frequency range. This makes it possible to generate a frequency
spectrum of the vital parameters or of the preprocessed vital
parameters which allows one to conduct further studies on the
attained spectrum or make conclusions about it. Further indicators
concerning the physical constitution of a person can be in
particular advantageously derived from such a spectral
transformation and be made available for a further cycle of
automation.
[0013] The stored or recorded data can be subjected to real-time
data processing or bundled, for example, once daily or whenever
additional conditions, such as clinical symptoms, emerge. The
results of data processing are automatically generated in a report.
This report can be generated either by a local data processing
installation, i.e. near the test person being measured, or by a
central databank. The device according to the invention prefers a
data transfer installation for remote data transmission which can
not only send data from the local measuring device to the central
databank but can also receive data from the central databank.
[0014] The central databank archives and governs the measured vital
parameters, or the variables derived therefrom, of a plurality of
persons. This data exchange allows for central data management
concerning many persons, in particular with the knowledge obtained
from the statistical evaluation of the data on many persons also
benefiting other persons, for example by determining further,
generally valid reference variables on the strength of a
broad-based databank compiled from the data on a plurality of
persons. In particular, not only are the data on a single person
evaluated among one another, but are also set against the data of
other persons. This allows one to reach new findings concerning
pathological and non-pathological vital parameters or variables
derived from the vital parameters. Furthermore, the data
transmission device can also be used advantageously for software
maintenance, i.e. for updating the software of the local measuring
installation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Further details and special features of the invention will
be illustrated more closely in the following as based on an
exemplary embodiment represented in the drawing, which shows:
[0016] FIG. 1 the principal structure of a mattress in side view
with a measuring device;
[0017] FIG. 2 a block diagram illustrating the data processing of
the measured vital parameters.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a mattress 10 which has on its top side 11 a
recess for an insert 12 having one or more sensors. These sensors
are pressure and/or temperature sensors, acoustic sensors, such as
microphones, and/or electrodes. These sensors are arranged in the
insert 12 such that it is possible to measure the vital parameters
of the person lying on the mattress 10 in a non-invasive manner.
The sensors are connected via a measurement connection 13 to a data
processing unit 14. The measured vital parameters are processed in
said data processing unit. Furthermore, the data processing unit 14
has a data transmission device 15, by means of which the measured
vital parameters and/or the data obtained from data processing can
be transmitted to a central databank 16. To this end, the data
transmission device is advantageously equipped with a modem, by
means of which it is possible to establish a data link to the
central databank 16 via a data network, or a remote data
communications network 17, or a telephone line, and vice versa.
[0019] The data processing unit 14 and/or the central databank 16
has memory storage for the measured vital parameters and/or the
obtained data which is configured, or organized, such that data can
be recorded and retrieved on a long-term basis, i.e. over a period
of days, weeks, months and/or years. To this end the data are in
particular linked to additional specifications, such as date and
time of day, so that a temporal association can also be made for
data on different vital parameters. This requires that the memory
storage has a sufficiently large capacity for managing the
corresponding amount of data.
[0020] Furthermore, the data processing unit 14 and/or central
databank 16 has one or more computers or microprocessors capable of
conducting statistical calculations such as mean value, standard
deviation, or variance, and also capable of conducting spectral
transformations. In particular, the data processing unit 14 or the
central databank 16 has what is known as a FFT analyzer, i.e. means
for conducting a Fourier transformation, preferably a discrete
Fourier transformation, such as the so-called fast Fourier
transformation (FFT), or other devices for executing another
spectral transformation. For example, such a device could be used
to conduct spectral transformations such as the so-called Laplace
transformation or the Hilbert transformation, or other
transformations based on complete functions.
[0021] The data processing unit 14 also has a operating unit which,
for example, can be placed on a bedside table. In an advantageous
development, this operating unit is connected to an alarm clock
with is generally present on the bedside table in any case. This is
especially advantageous in that the measured or calculated data can
be stored along with the corresponding date and time of day.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of data processing as
implemented. In a first block 18 the vital parameters are measured
or collected. To this end a plurality of input ports 19 are
provided. In these input ports 19 measurements are taken by sensors
contained in the insert 12, in particular measurements concerning
pressure, temperature and/or acoustic and/or electric signal
levels. The raw data collected in this manner from the first block
18 are then subjected to further data processing in a second block
20, third block 21 or a further block. The second block 20 is
configured as a block for implementing a Fourier transformation and
the third block for implementing a Hilbert transformation. The
signals collected by the first block 18 can thus be depicted in a
state space based on complete functions. A fourth block 22 executes
a classification of an output signal of the second, third or a
further block, preferably with the assistance of neuronal network
algorithms as represented by the fifth block 23 as well as the
feedback 24 from the fifth block 23 to the fourth block 22. The
result of the classification of the fourth block 22 is further
processed in a sixth block 25 by means of a so-called primary
component analysis.
[0023] The data processed in this manner, or the results of data
processing, can be regularly retrieved by the attending person in
the form of a machine-generated report. This provides one with
information about the constitution of the observed person, but also
in particular about any trends, such as an improvement or
deterioration of the body's condition. Essential for this purpose
is an extensive databank or data pool that collects data over
extended periods of time and evaluates them statistically. A
central databank or central data pool also offers the advantage
that data can be evaluated by third parties from a remote location.
In addition, by means of said data transmission it is possible to
update and maintain the software running in the data processing
unit 14 as soon as the broad data base leads to improved data
processing algorithms.
[0024] The described method and device have the advantage that the
constitution of a person can be monitored continuously and
automatically over an extended period of time without impairing or
detracting the person involved. In particular the measurement of
vital parameters during phases of repose, especially at night,
means that measurement does not take up any of the person's time at
all. In addition, the person under observation does not feel the
measurement being taken since it is conducted in a non-invasive
manner, in particular with no direct contact to the sensor or
sensors involved.
[0025] Furthermore the described device offers the possibility of
generating an alarm signal when a limit value, either
pre-determined or obtained from the data processing, is met or
exceeded. This alarm signal indicates to the person under
observation that his or her state of health has deteriorated. This
monitoring and alarm process can be carried out fully automatically
without the interim assistance of a physician or medical personnel.
Instead, the generation of an alarm is based on the statistical
evaluation of the measured vital parameters, in particular the
standard deviation, or variance, in the heart rate. This means that
when this standard deviation, or variance, drops below a certain
limit, an alarm signal is generated by the data processing unit 14
or central databank 16. Preferably, however, an alarm is not
generated if a limit value is exceeded for only a brief interval.
Rather, the sounding of an alarm also takes the biographical
context into account, i.e. a trend is examined and followed which
allows inferences to be made concerning steps to be taken for
treatment or for making a specific diagnosis.
[0026] On the whole, the invention's combination of non-invasive
measurement of vital parameters and their long-term recording
permits additional evaluation which yields information about the
constitution of the person under observation. To this end, the
measured variables are in particular subjected to a statistical
evaluation, such as the calculation of a standard deviation, or
variance from a calculated mean value. In addition, the discussed
spectral transformation of the measured or processed vital
parameters allows additional information to be gained from the data
obtained. On the whole, by virtue of the invention, the health care
provided is considerably improved through the biographically-based
collection of vital parameters.
1 LIST OF DESIGNATIONS 10 mattress 11 topside 12 insert 13
measurement connection 14 data processing unit 15 data transmission
device 16 central databank 17 remote data communications network 18
first block 19 input port 20 second block 21 third block 22 fourth
block 23 fifth block 24 feedback 25 sixth block
* * * * *